BizCon: NEO names quality as reason for success

“Though we opened NEO in 2010, none of us are new to the manufacturing business,” said Brad Baker, a member of the NEO owners team.

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Sturgis Journal - Sturgis, MI

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Posted Jul. 23, 2014 at 12:00 PM

Posted Jul. 23, 2014 at 12:00 PM

Editor’s Note: BizCon is a business conduit that focuses on success stories in the Sturgis

community.

“Though we opened NEO in 2010, none of us are new to the manufacturing business,” said Brad Baker, a member of the NEO owners team. “Wade Wolf and I have decades of experience in trailer manufacturing — at this very location. We worked for years here together, then sold the business — Classic Manufacturing — in 2004, but by November of 2009, the new owners had closed its doors, leaving the entire staff unemployed. It was terrible.”

Baker said the one good thing that came out of all of it was that he and Wade didn’t sell the buildings or property.

“So, on Feb. 1, 2010, Wade and I obtained our empty buildings back and got back to work creating a quality trailer under our new company name, NEO.”

Steve Zarza joined Baker and Wolf that same month to create the NEO ownership team.

“The building was in rough shape,” Zarza said. “It took a considerable investment from all three of us to get this facility into good shape.”

Beginning with a great product was key, Zarza said, adding that all NEO trailers are made of aluminum, which makes them lighter, more durable and more fuel efficient and all the materials they use to create them are brought in raw and crafted to spec on site.

“However, we could not maintain this level of superior quality without having a superior manufacturing shop,” Zarza said.

He said NEO’s focus on the production line is quality, not quantity.

“It’s having a superior team of employees that makes NEO the success that it is,” he said. “This is why you’re not just an employee here, you’re part of Team NEO.”

Baker said he is excited to be in business again.

“I'm thrilled to be part of a team that’s putting out a line of trailers that are so appealing that we’re growing, which in turn is generating even more employment opportunities for people, here in St. Joe County.”

Denny Farmer, vice President of NEO, said the company started with a very specific goal.

“Our objective was to leverage our experience, discipline, core competencies and philosophies with a team of skilled and competent workers, right here in Southwest Michigan, to create great products. And we have. Our trailers are becoming well-known for their superior construction, stylish appearance and special customizations. That says it all,” he said.

Combining a great workforce with expertise has NEO expanding into additional manufacturing areas too, such as NEO Storage Solutions, which is a division that offers a host of aluminum cabinet options that range from a budget conscious DIY (do it yourself) solution to full standing all aluminum shop, basement, or trailer cabinets; and NEO Components, which offers cabinet doors, two tone exterior panels, ramp door flaps, and L.E.D. lighting systems.

Page 2 of 2 - “We are very pleased with where we have come in such a short amount of time,” said Farmer.

“And, we have our ‘help wanted’ sign out front,” added Zarza, “so, we’re very optimistic about Team NEO’s future, too”